Tips - Tricks

SAFETY CHECKS


It is advised to perform the following brief check before each start-off - not taking more than a minute.

Screws and nuts.

Check whether there are any parts sounding or feeling loose if the front wheel is lifted and dropped from 5-10 cm above the ground. Should you perceive any loose parts, tighten them again.

Tyres and wheels
Check the necessary wheel pressure while leaning on the bicycle with full weight. See how much the wheels are strained. Compare this to a state when you were sure that the pressure was adequate. Pump the wheels if necessary. Check for any cuts on the tyre-tread and side. Replace the damaged wheel before re-mounting on the bicycle. Separately turn the wheels freely in the air. Should either of the wheels draw sideways, have it centered before using it again.

Brakes
Make sure that the quick release mechanisms of the brakes are in closed position. Check whether the brake-handle cannot be pulled all the way to the handlebar. Set the brakes if necessary.

Quick-blocking
Make sure that the quick-blockings at the wheels and the saddle pillar are adequately adjusted and completely tight.

Setting the handlebar and the saddle
Check whether the saddle, the handlebar, the handlebar stem and the handlebar horns could not be accidentally misadjusted. Check for the tightness of the handgrips. Replace the handgrips if necessary.

Setting of the service parts
The brake-handles and switch lever of your bicycle are assembled in a way that they are ergonomically optimal for most of the people.

Brake-handle reach distance (distance between the brake-handle and the handgrip)
The reach distance of the brake-handle of many bicycles can be adjusted. If you have small hands and therefore reaching and pulling the brake-handle is troublesome for you, please request the dealer to reduce the brake-handle reach distance or to mount a brake handgrip with shorter reach distance on the bicycle.

Helm
Wearing a protective helm of good quality is highly recommended at all times when using the bicycle. Please contact a specialised dealer.

Cat's-eye
Cat's-eyes are essential parts of the safety system of your bicycle. In some countries fixing cat's-eyes on the front, rear, on the pedals and wheels is compulsory.

Lights
In case you use your bicycle after dusk, it should be equipped with lights so that you can see the road and avoid the sources of danger, but for the reason too that others can also see you. In certain countries only bicycles provided with lighting may be sold. In these countries dealers are not allowed to sell you any bicycles without lighting.



Height and angle of the handlebar
In case your bicycle was equipped with A-headset handlebar stem, the setting of the handlebar height should be carried out by the dealer. In case of other bicycle types the height of the handlebar may be adjusted also by yourself. Turn the fixing bolt of the handlebar stem 3-4 times clockwise. If the bolt moves upwards but the handlebar stem cannot be removed yet, hit the fixing bolt of the handlebar stem with a mallet. Adjust the handlebar stem to your needs and set it in line with the front wheel again. Tighten the bolt again until the handlebar and the handlebar stem cannot be turned any longer. The sign of minimum grip should NOT be visible. Check whether the handlebar can be freely turned in both directions in a way that the brakes don't touch or tangle any other parts.

In case of certain bicycles adjusting of the handlebar stem influences the setting of the front wheel brake. Before start-off check whether both brakes operate properly. If not, they should be adjusted by the dealer. It is very important to make sure after setting the handlebar and the handlebar stem that the two are firmly fixed again, and cannot be imperceptibly misadjusted.


Setting the saddle
The proper setting of the saddle is important for its optimal and comfortable usage.

a. Setting the height
The right setting of saddle height depends on your step length. For checking the saddle height:
- sit on the saddle,
- put your heel on the pedal
- turn the pedal bracket until the pedal with your heel moves to the lowest position and the pedal bracket is parallel to the saddle bar.
At this point your leg should be in an almost straight position. If this is not the case, saddle height should be adjusted.

For setting the saddle height loosen the screw or ring fixing the seat bar and move the saddle support upwards or downwards as required. Make sure that the saddle is parallel to the upper frame bar before tightening the seat bar fixing screw so tight that the saddle cannot be turned. Check saddle height again in the manner described above. The saddle MAY NEVER be pulled beyond the signs of maximum height/minimum grip.

a. Horizontal position
For your most comfortable position loosen the saddle clamp and move the saddle forward or backwards. Tighten the saddle clamp again.

a. Saddle angle
Most people use the saddle in horizontal position, however some bicyclists prefer if the saddle slightly declines or ascends. For adjusting the saddle angle loosen the saddle clamp, tilt the saddle in the desired direction and tighten the saddle clamp again.

Even with a slight modification of the saddle settings great effects can be achieved. Only one position adjustment should be done at a time, and progress in small steps until the optimal saddle position is found.

ATTENTION: After each modification of the saddle setting make sure that the saddle-fixing screws were re-tightened. These screws should be frequently checked while sitting in the saddle.


Adjustment
You should choose your bicycle considering your sizes. If a bicycle is too small or too large for its owner, it can be navigated with difficulties, it is not comfortable and it is dangerous.

Frame height:

The dealer recommended you the bicycle with optimal frame height on the basis of the information provided. If you personally visited the dealer, you surely paid attention to find the frame height that fitted your body height the best. If the bicycle was bought by somebody else (e.g. it was a gift), it should be checked before usage whether the frame height is suitable for you.

Standing height:

This size is the distance of the upper edge of the upper frame bar measured from the ground at the point where your step height is. Taking the bicycle between your legs you should stand halfway between the saddle and the handlebar. Stand straight. If the upper frame bar touches then your step height, then the frame is too high for you. Should you intend to use the bicycle only on the roads, the upper frame bar should be at a distance of 2-5 cm from your step height. Should you intend to use the bicycle among others on forest paths, this distance should be 7,5 cm; while for real cross-country cycling a distance of or over 10 cm is necessary.